By Associated Press
Tulsa, OK – State's expert wraps up testimony in poultry case
TULSA, Okla. (AP) A geologist in Oklahoma's pollution lawsuit against the Arkansas poultry industry has finally wrapped up testimony two weeks after he took the stand.
The sluggish pace of the federal trial was illustrated during the testimony of J. Berton Fisher, who first took the stand on Oct. 8.
Objections from 30-some attorneys and delays over housekeeping matters ate up a fair chunk of time something that has plagued this trial since it began last month.
Oklahoma is suing 11 poultry companies, claiming they're responsible for polluting the Illinois River watershed with tons of chicken waste.
The companies say the contract farmers who raise the birds have broken no laws in their handling of the waste as an inexpensive fertilizer.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.